Covid-19 testing should only be requested if you are experiencing symptoms, or have been asked to get a test.
There is currently a high demand on the Covid-19 testing system, caused by capacity at the labs and not at local testing centres. Local testing centres may at times currently appear quiet and booking slots may be harder to come by, this is because the Department for Health and Social Care is prioritising tests in areas where there are higher rates of Covid-19.
We're asking residents only to book a test if they have been asked to do, or they are displaying symptoms of Covid-19.
If you have any symptoms of Covid, you should isolate and seek a test by phoning 119 or booking online. The symptoms to look out for are fever, a continuous cough and loss of taste or smell. If you do not have symptoms you do not need a test unless you are part of a group of health and care workers who receive regular testing.
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 As part of the government’s announcement on Wednesday about increasing coronavirus cases and introducing new measures coming into effect on Monday, they also sprovided a reminder of the key things we can all do to protect ourselves and others.
- HANDS – Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds.
- FACE – Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
- SPACE – Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place.
These key messages correspond with our local campaign “let’s all play our part to keep West Berkshire open.”
So to look after all our residents in West Berkshire please remember to wash your hands, cover your face and make space.
Check out this video explaining why these measures are so important with winter approaching.
 A new, national Kickstart Scheme has been announced to fund the direct creation of high quality jobs for young people at the highest risk of long-term unemployment. It will give young people the chance to build their confidence and skills in the workplace, and to gain experience that will improve their chances of going on to find long-term, sustainable work.
The scheme will create hundreds of thousands of high quality six-month work placements aimed at those aged 16-24 who are on Universal Credit and are deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment.
As well as supporting young people, the grants will help smaller businesses recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding available for each job will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.
Go online to find more information for employers and young people.
Locally, Kickstart Tourism & Restart and Recovery SME grants open for applications from Berkshire businesses on Tuesday (15 September). They will be issued on a first come first served basis so check out the pre-app advice on the Berkshire Growth Hub website to help you get your application ready.
Most families have experienced upheaval in their daily lives during the pandemic.
With children and young people now back at school or college, Public Health England (PHE)’s new Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign provides NHS endorsed tips and advice to look after children and young people’s mental wellbeing.
Research reveals that the coronavirus outbreak has caused an increase in anxiety in young people4, and over a third of children report being more worried, sad and stressed than before lockdown5. New PHE survey data found that over half (52%) of parents said the mental wellbeing of their children topped the list of their biggest worries.
The advice available on the Better Health - Every Mind Matters website has been developed in partnership with leading children and young people’s mental health charities. It is designed to help parents and carers spot the signs that children may be struggling with their mental health and show the actions they can take to support them. In addition to the advice for parents and carers the site also provides tools to help young people build resilience and equips them to look after their mental wellbeing.
For more information visit the Every Mind Matters website - there is information for young people and for parents and carers.
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